The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has urgently called for medical treatment of numerous children stranded in the Gaza Strip due to the lack of approval from Israeli authorities.
Speaking in Geneva on Friday, UNICEF spokesman James Elder revealed a drastic drop in medical evacuations from Gaza since Israel took control of the Rafah crossing in early May.
Prior to May 7 this year, an average of 296 children requiring emergency medical care were evacuated from Gaza every month. However, following the Israeli army's control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing and its subsequent closure, the monthly number of medically evacuated children has plummeted to a mere 22, according to Elder.
"It is not known how many child patients have been rejected for medical evacuation. Only a list of approved patients is provided by Israel's COGAT (Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories), which controls Gaza's entry and exit points. The status of others is not shared. When a patient is denied, there is nothing can be done," he said.
This restriction on medical evacuations is having dire consequences, as Elder emphasized that children in critical condition within Gaza are left without medical services and lack the means to access treatment elsewhere.
He warned that children in Gaza are being deprived of their right to medical care, with those who survived airstrikes succumbing to injuries due to the severity of their conditions.
UNICEF urges urgent medical care for Gaza children amid Israeli approval delays
UNICEF urges urgent medical care for Gaza children amid Israeli approval delays
UNICEF urges urgent medical care for Gaza children amid Israeli approval delays
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
